OTA Update

Windows Phone 8.1 is the massive OS update from Microsoft. Lumia Cyan is the corresponding firmware from Nokia, customized for individual hardware. The two go together and are part of the official over-the-air update expected later in July and rollout through August.

Popular internet leaker @Evleaks has posted what looks to be a schedule of the Lumia Cyan update, broken down by device e.g. Lumia 920 and Lumia 1520. However, this is only for the Benelux region, which is comprised of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Yesterday we reported that AT&T was planning on releasing the double punch Amber and Windows Phone 8 GDR2 OS update today. As predicted, the update has begun at 1 PM ET / 11 AM PT and users should now be able to head into their Settings > Phone Update > Check for updates to initiate the process. The update will bump the firmware to 1325 and the OS to version 10327.

Nokia and AT&T have been working on bringing the coveted updated for a few weeks now, coming in near last in terms of the global rollout. Nokia had previously stated that the Amber update should be completed by the end of September and while that was accurate for most users, those on AT&T had to sit by as T-Mobile and Verizon both beat them to the delivery.

It was just yesterday that people in Canada on Bell, Telus or Rogers who also owned the under-rated (and underappreciated) Samsung ATIV S were greeted with a double OS and firmware update, bringing their phones up to the coveted GDR2 status (OS build 10327).

Of course it was later revealed that some features like FM Radio (which may not be supported by the hardware) and the ability to set a pre-defined camera app were missing. Still, the additional bug fixes in GDR2 are nothing to shy away from, including the reduction in the size of Other Storage or the .WAV file support in email.

Reports are coming, with scarce details, that the Nokia Lumia 925 is receiving an OS update today over the air.

The update bumps the OS from build 10327 to build 10328—both of which are considered part of the GDR2 release frame. Devices that are reported to be receiving the update include only unlocked devices with no reports (yet) of branded or carrier supported ones, including T-Mobile US.

T-Mobile and HTC have had quite a back and forth recently regarding the Windows Phone 8 “Portico” update (build 10211) We first heard about the 8X update just a few days ago and the original intent was to roll it out yesterday, December 19th. But at the last minute, we received word that T-Mobile was halting the rollout due to some last minute "tweaks".

The fear of course was that this could stretch into weeks as Microsoft, T-Mobile and HTC work to fix whatever it was holding up the update. Luckily, the delay now looks to be have been only 24 hours as T-Mobile and Microsoft have just now thrown the switch, delivering the update to customers.

The new firmware has brought at least one new feature: automatically connect to Wi-Fi hotspots, part of Microsoft's initiative to help users save on data.

HTC and Microsoft are now pushing a firmware update over-the-air for the 8X Windows Phone (unbranded and unlocked). We reported just two nights ago that the OS was being updated to ‘Portico’ aka build 10211 but what was curious was there was no firmware change. That appears to have been remedied tonight.

We had the phone check for an update manually and sure enough, it began to download and prepare the device for installation (this time it was much quicker). Another screen was presented this time indicating that this was an ‘HTC Update’ referencing the firmware changes.

Although we haven’t seen this problem at all on our 920, our HTC 8X on occasion has spontaneously reset. And judging by our forums, users of all Windows Phone 8 devices have had some stability issues, although it’s a seemingly small percentage.

Now, according to All Microsoft, via All Things D, have said they think they have identified the issue hope to have a hot fix update deployed over-the-air next month. No details on exactly what the issue is but we can bet is has to do with memory allocation or execution of specific code that causes the phone to spontaneously restart itself.